Flash #54

The Flash is now the strongest man alive thanks to a jolt from one of the new forces! Turning his jacked-up sights to Trickster, the two duke it out inside Iron Heights for utter supremacy. Will anyone stop these two behemoths from beating the hell out of each other...or is this just what Warden Wolfe wants?

THE FLASH #54 is a fun little book. It doesn't take itself too seriously most of the time, but when it does get serious, it's well earned. I totally recommend it to fans of the TV show and the character in general. Read Full Review

The last page does provide a great payoff for longtime Flash fans. Thankfully, Williamson has always recognized the importance of letting some cliffhangers develop instead of immediately addressing them in the next issue. This one will eventually lead to a very cool story. For now it's off to the next Force threat and another intriguing Rogue encounter. Read Full Review

This latest issue of the Flash is the best in this new storyline and gives us some great development for our main characters as well as some amazing action that is accented with phenomenal art. There are a couple things that are a bit convenient but I don't think they harm the story in the end. I am confident in recommending this book to new readers now because this latest storyline is pretty great. Read Full Review

Williamson continues to shine as he skillfully weaves emotional depth into each character and creates organic relationship dilemmas that feel earned. I highly recommend this book for fans of The Flash, however, the story has some work to do before it piques my interest in the newly introduced forces, which were first revealed in The Justice League story arc. Williamson will no doubt find a creative way to not only introduce The Sage Force in the next issue but how will it impact The Flash! Read Full Review

Overall, this has been a low key arc that provided big answers to mysteries Williamson has been setting up since the end of the Flash War story. This issue brings the introduction to the Strength Force arc to a satisfying close, but leaves the door open to a lot bigger stories. Next issue promises to delve into the Sage Force in, surely, a similar way to this story, so if youve enjoyed what Williamson has done so far with the new Forces, you should definitely stick around. Read Full Review

The art by Christian Duce is well done. I liked the details in the fight scenes, but some of the character moments didn't really mesh with the tone of the scene and some of the facial expressions looked off in those moments. Read Full Review

It's hard for me to pick a favourite title out of DC's lineup considering all the great stuff they're putting out. But I would definitely place The Flash in my top two or three. Williamson has re-established Barry Allen as a linchpin of the DC Universe. Read Full Review

Overall, Williamson and company do an extremely solid job of making The Flash one of DC's most consistent on-going titles. The current arc continues to captivate and entertain as it rolls toward conclusion. As someone who has been reading The Flash since Mike Baron and Jackson Guice kicked off volume 2 way back in 1987, I have found Joshua Williamson to be one of the most exciting and imaginative writers to take on The Flash. If you haven't been reading The Flash I recommend jumping on and catching up with the Scarlet Speedster. Read Full Review

Barry absorbs the Strength Force and has to take on Commander Cold and Warden Wolfe's guards. The Strength Force is not to be fooled with. Barry learns the ropes quickly but that doesn't fix his larger issues with Commander Cold, Trickster, and Wolfe. Oh, and the "Grips of Strength" arc concludes not how you'd expect. Pick it up and you shall see. Plus, what lies ahead? None other than the Sage Force. Read Full Review

This is another issue where a fill-in artist is featured. Christian Duce gives some grit and nice textures to his characters. He is quite good at drawing exaggerated musculature. This is not a jab. This is needed for this issue. I wish the editors would retain one alternate artist for when Howard Porter is working on the other issues. Duce would be a good pick if he could commit. Read Full Review

The art in this issue is top notch. The story is a continuation (but end of this arc) to the various forces affecting Central City.

You find out a little bit more about Iris and what she is holding back and what Barry is not telling her.

Sadly it loses a pt because of Didio wanting this constant gut punch darkness on the heroes. They can never be happy and now we know for sure, Rebirth is abandoned. That story line that was connected to Doomsday Clock is gone.

In any event, if you enjoy good art, a good story and a nice cliffhanger that makes you hit up google to find out more info then this one is for you.

Flash... Smash! Barry Allen just can't say no to a juicy new super-power, can he? This was a good issue. Some very nice action in it, good art, a really great moment for Trickster and an interesting ending.
Unfortunately, Barry is again starting to lean towards the gloomy and grumpy side, but I hope it will pass soon.